RCA VR639HF VHS VCR
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- VCR Type: VHS
- Number of Video Heads: 4
- Audio: Hi-Fi Stereo
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Rest In Pieces: The RCA VR639HF Hi-Fi VCR
Pros
VCR Plus feature, "Remembers" things after power failure
Cons
Motor burned out - deceased!
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
My RCA VR639HF Hi-Fi VCR worked really great up to the moment when the motor inside of it decided to die!
Well, we finally decided to put the death certificate on our RCA VR639HF Hi-Fi VCR yesterday to have it rest in pieces in the trash compactor in front of our complex. After 2 1/2 years of almost daily operation, the motor in this unit just decided to die and work no more.
However, until that time, the RCA VR639HF Hi-Fi VCR worked really wonderfully exceeding my expectations for a VCR on many occasions.
Features
The RCA VR639HF Hi-Fi VCR has many features that I enjoyed during its lifespan and I would like to make remarks on a few of them.
VCR Plus Feature
The VCR Plus Feature worked absolutely great! At first, I really was rather sceptical that this feature (entering a code from your TV Guide for recording purposes) would work. However, I found out I was wrong and this became a great every day entry after our move here to Georgia.
Great Memory
Being that I have lived in thunderstorm country where it is likely to have power failures or "blinks" during storms, I found it aggravating to reset VCRs for time setting and re-entering of continuous recording. The RCA VR639HF Hi-Fi VCR is so smart that I am really dumbfounded. While clock radios and other electronic units cannot handle these electricity breaks, this VCR never failed to remember the time and its stored programming.
Hi-Fi Features
Another aspect of this unit that I have enjoyed over the years was to attach it to my stereo system and play the television programs through my speakers. This gave the programs on tape a richer sound and made our listening experience much more pleasurable.
Installation onto the unit was very simple and my teenager could literally do it in his sleep!
Remote
In addition, I enjoyed the universal remote that came with the RCA VR639HF Hi-Fi VCR unit. This remote was very easy to understand and operate and allowed for even children to operate it without problems. A negative aspect to this particular remote is that I found that the batteries seemed to be used faster in it than other remote controls.
Commercial Advance
One of the best features of this unit was that it had commercial advance. By using this function, the VCR would skip through the recorded television program and eliminate your viewing of any commercials. However, I discovered that the VCR was not totally omnipotent with figuring out what was a commercial and what was not. In recording Joyce Meyer on her daily television program, the VCR would assume the beginning and ending parts of her program were "commercials". While there were discussions of product information that she was promoting and dates for her conferences, this was important information that I didn't really want "skipped".
Performance
Up to the time where it refused to work anymore, the RCA VR639HF Hi-Fi VCR was used every day in our home for at least two to five hours a day. This included at least two hours of recording time and at least three hours of playing time each weekday and more on the weekend.
I found that this VCR was very forgiving and smart -- refusing you to record two programs at one time and giving you options as to which program you wanted to delete/keep.
The unit never "ate" any tapes and the tracking on this unit was quite excellent. In most cases, the VCR would automatically adjust to whatever speed the tape was needing and did not have any static or other distortions.
But It's Broken!
However, my RCA VR639HF Hi-Fi VCR is broken now and since VCRs are now lower in price it is more economical to purchase a new unit rather than to have this one repaired. This is very sad, because I have enjoyed this unit very much. My son was actually afraid that I was going to flame this product out here online and write only the negative aspects -- but I can't do that, because the truth is, this product has been a good VCR for us.
Recommendation
However, I guess I do have a high expectation for electronic devices to last more than two or three years. My stereo system components are between five and twelve years old and I assumed that I would get at least that type of performance from my VCR. Unfortunately that is not the case and this product has not met my expectations.
I'm hoping though that perhaps my negative experience now with this product is the exception rather than the norm and that if you purchase the RCA VR639HF Hi-Fi VCR that it will last for many more years than mine did.
Therefore, I will give this product an average rating. The product features are superior to other VCRs in its class and other than the motor coming to a grinding halt, the VCR worked perfectly up to that time.
Features
Commercial Advance?
Movie Advance?
VCR Plus+? Programming System with End-Time Adjustment
Auto Clock Set*
Front Audio/Video Input Jacks
ShowSaver? Memory Protection
Pro-Tect Plus? (Child Lock)
Automatic Head Cleaning System
QuickSet Guide
VHS Index Search System
EnergySaver
However, until that time, the RCA VR639HF Hi-Fi VCR worked really wonderfully exceeding my expectations for a VCR on many occasions.
Features
The RCA VR639HF Hi-Fi VCR has many features that I enjoyed during its lifespan and I would like to make remarks on a few of them.
VCR Plus Feature
The VCR Plus Feature worked absolutely great! At first, I really was rather sceptical that this feature (entering a code from your TV Guide for recording purposes) would work. However, I found out I was wrong and this became a great every day entry after our move here to Georgia.
Great Memory
Being that I have lived in thunderstorm country where it is likely to have power failures or "blinks" during storms, I found it aggravating to reset VCRs for time setting and re-entering of continuous recording. The RCA VR639HF Hi-Fi VCR is so smart that I am really dumbfounded. While clock radios and other electronic units cannot handle these electricity breaks, this VCR never failed to remember the time and its stored programming.
Hi-Fi Features
Another aspect of this unit that I have enjoyed over the years was to attach it to my stereo system and play the television programs through my speakers. This gave the programs on tape a richer sound and made our listening experience much more pleasurable.
Installation onto the unit was very simple and my teenager could literally do it in his sleep!
Remote
In addition, I enjoyed the universal remote that came with the RCA VR639HF Hi-Fi VCR unit. This remote was very easy to understand and operate and allowed for even children to operate it without problems. A negative aspect to this particular remote is that I found that the batteries seemed to be used faster in it than other remote controls.
Commercial Advance
One of the best features of this unit was that it had commercial advance. By using this function, the VCR would skip through the recorded television program and eliminate your viewing of any commercials. However, I discovered that the VCR was not totally omnipotent with figuring out what was a commercial and what was not. In recording Joyce Meyer on her daily television program, the VCR would assume the beginning and ending parts of her program were "commercials". While there were discussions of product information that she was promoting and dates for her conferences, this was important information that I didn't really want "skipped".
Performance
Up to the time where it refused to work anymore, the RCA VR639HF Hi-Fi VCR was used every day in our home for at least two to five hours a day. This included at least two hours of recording time and at least three hours of playing time each weekday and more on the weekend.
I found that this VCR was very forgiving and smart -- refusing you to record two programs at one time and giving you options as to which program you wanted to delete/keep.
The unit never "ate" any tapes and the tracking on this unit was quite excellent. In most cases, the VCR would automatically adjust to whatever speed the tape was needing and did not have any static or other distortions.
But It's Broken!
However, my RCA VR639HF Hi-Fi VCR is broken now and since VCRs are now lower in price it is more economical to purchase a new unit rather than to have this one repaired. This is very sad, because I have enjoyed this unit very much. My son was actually afraid that I was going to flame this product out here online and write only the negative aspects -- but I can't do that, because the truth is, this product has been a good VCR for us.
Recommendation
However, I guess I do have a high expectation for electronic devices to last more than two or three years. My stereo system components are between five and twelve years old and I assumed that I would get at least that type of performance from my VCR. Unfortunately that is not the case and this product has not met my expectations.
I'm hoping though that perhaps my negative experience now with this product is the exception rather than the norm and that if you purchase the RCA VR639HF Hi-Fi VCR that it will last for many more years than mine did.
Therefore, I will give this product an average rating. The product features are superior to other VCRs in its class and other than the motor coming to a grinding halt, the VCR worked perfectly up to that time.
Features
Commercial Advance?
Movie Advance?
VCR Plus+? Programming System with End-Time Adjustment
Auto Clock Set*
Front Audio/Video Input Jacks
ShowSaver? Memory Protection
Pro-Tect Plus? (Child Lock)
Automatic Head Cleaning System
QuickSet Guide
VHS Index Search System
EnergySaver
